local recurrence symptoms?

[Shobha]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with IBC in July 2007 in my left breast. I have had a aggressive treatment with 3 months/weekly taxol+herceptin followed by 3 months of FEC+herceptin. Then, in Jan 08, I have double mastectomy, followed by 5 weeks of radiation. Also, I completed 52 weeks of herceptin on July 14th 2008.

On my left side, about one inch from my sugery scar, I can feel some linear hardening under the skin. It is also very tender and uneven to feel. Nothing noticible visibly. I am wondering can there be a local recurrence so fast?
I will be seeing my surgeon on Aug 7th but I was wondering if anyone here to give me some insight...?
Thanks!

[harrie]

Hi Shobha,
Don't want you to think your thread is going unnoticed. Wish I could help. I have signficant amount of scarring from my surgeries, but I have never noticed a linear hardening under the skind outside of the scars. There is hardenings right under the scarring though.

what did your surgeon say it might be?

[Catherine]

I am not sure what you are describing. But the side with my modified radical mast, is still sensitive to the touch almost 2 years after surgery. That side is kind of "hard as a rock." I do not know what it is supposed to feel like. This could be another discussion.

Catherine

[Shobha]

Thank you Harrie and Catherine! My surgeon told me that it is due to the side effects of Radiation. She explained that it feels hard and flat, where as cancer returning to the mastectomy site or in the nearby skin is usually rounder and more nodular.

Mine is sensitive and hurts a little when I touch it. It has been 3 months since my radiation completed.

So, for now, it is wait and watch. She told me to see her in 3 months again...

I am also trying to find out about phase III trial of neuVax, perhaps it may be a good option for me...